December 14, 2024: Parashah Torah Portion Vayishlach - "And He Sent"
A Journey of Faith, Reconciliation, and Transformation. God reveals HIS HEART of RESTORATION AND RECONCILITION!
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Newsletter by Dr. Hadassah Elia & Elihana Elia
In this study, we will explore the Torah portion, Haftarah, and Brit Chadashah to uncover lessons on faith, spiritual warfare, reconciliation, and restoration!
Also, we will discover the profound, prophetic significance of this Torah Portion regarding the promises of the Almighty and His heart for restoration and reconciliation. Additionally, we will study what some call the “mysterious” Messianic Prophecies of revelation in the Torah and the prophets of Israel regarding the promised Messiah of Israel, Yeshua Ha’Mashiach. We will study the Kingdom of God, the IDENTITY OF HIS CHOSEN PEOPLE AS THE BRIDE OF MESSIAH, REDEEMED ISRAEL.
For this Shabbat, Vayeshlach, the readings are as follows:
Torah Portion: Genesis 32:3 – 36:43
Haftarah: Obadiah 1:1 – 21
Brit Hadashah (New Covenant Reading): Matthew 26:36 – 46
Introduction:
This Torah Portion "Vayishlach", a Hebrew word that means "and He sent", is considered one of the most important scriptures in the Torah. It is also considered the moment when the people of Israel received its name by the Almighty God of Israel!
In the Torah portion of Vayishlach (Genesis 32:4-36:43), we see Jacob's journey from fear to faith, from conflict to reconciliation, and from personal struggle to spiritual transformation.
We follow Jacob as he prepares to meet his estranged brother Esau. Jacob and Esau reconcile after a 22-year estrangement, Jacob wrestles with a Divine Being and experiences significant life events that shape his character and destiny! This Torah Portion includes all the following events:
Jacob is told by God to return home
Jacob divides his clan into two camps
Jacob wrestles with an angel in the desert and is renamed Israel
Jacob and Esau meet and embrace
Dinah, Jacob's daughter, is raped by Shechem
Jacob's sons, Shimeon and Levi, kill Shechem and his clan in revenge
Rachel gives birth to Benjamin and dies in childbirth
1. In the midst of fear, Jacob prepares for Confrontation and the hope of Reconciliation (Genesis 32:4-21)
Jacob's strategic preparation to meet Esau models how believers should approach conflicts with prayer, humility, and strategic planning:
- James 4:10 - "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." Jacob's humility in sending gifts ahead was a wise move, an action that showed he was laying down one's pride, in obedience to God.
- Matthew 10:16 - "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves."
This reflects Jacob's wisdom in dealing with Esau.
Genesis 32:6 And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau, and furthermore he is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.” 7 Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; and he divided the people who were with him, and the flocks, the herds, and the camels, into two companies; 8 for he said, “If Esau comes to the one company and [d]attacks it, then the company which is left will escape.”
9 Then Jacob said, “God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, Lord, who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your relatives, and I will make you prosper,’ 10 "KATONTI" I am unworthy of all the favor and of all the faithfulness, which You have shown to Your servant; for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two companies. 11 "HATZILENI NA" Save me, please, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, that he will come and attack me and the mothers with the children. 12 For You said, ‘I will assuredly make you prosper and make your descendants as the sand of the sea, which is too great to be counted.’”
This song "KATONTI" is based on these Bible Verses!
2. Wrestling with God at Peniel (Genesis 32:22-32)
One of the most pivotal moments in Jacob's life occurs when he wrestles with an angel or divine being. This encounter at Peniel signifies a struggle not just with physical strength but with spiritual identity:
Hosea 12:4-5 - "He struggled with the angel and overcame him; he wept and begged for his favor. He found him at Bethel and talked with him there— the Lord God Almighty, the Lord is his name!" This Haftarah portion directly connects to Jacob's experience, emphasizing the transformative power of wrestling with God.
Philippians 3:12-14 - Here, Paul speaks of pressing on toward the goal, much like Jacob's perseverance in wrestling, which led to his name change to Israel - one who struggles with God.
The wrestling match with the Divine Being is emblematic of the spiritual battles believers face, where victory comes through perseverance and clinging to God:
Ephesians 6:12 - "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." This passage explains the true nature of our struggles, paralleling Jacob's encounter.
2 Corinthians 12:9 - "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Messiah’s power may rest on me."
Jacob's limp after wrestling with God, symbolizes a mark in Jacob’s life, of the unforgettable encounter with God at Peniel, his breakthrough, transformation and change of name! Jacob's name was changed from Jacob to ISRAEL! The blessing was given to him as he persevered.
God’s power strength is shown and made perfect in our weakness. Our story is for His glory!
ישראל The name Israel in the Bible has multiple meanings, including:
HISTORICAL FACTS:
The name of Jacob The Hebrew Bible says that Jacob was given the name Israel after he wrestled with the Angel of the Lord. The name can be interpreted as "one who prevails with God" or "let God prevail". Other interpretations include "one who wrestles or struggles with God", "prince of God", "a man seeing God", or "he will rule as God".
The name of the twelve tribes
The name Israel became the national name for the twelve tribes. It was used in this way in Exodus 3:16 and afterward.
The name of the Northern Kingdom After the 12 tribes were separated, the northern kingdom was called the "Kingdom of Israel" or Samaria. The southern kingdom was called the "Kingdom of Judah".
The name of the people of the Northern Kingdom, Israel came to refer exclusively to the people of the Northern Kingdom.
The name of the returned exiles After the Babylonian captivity, the returned exiles resumed the name Israel as the designation of the nation.
The name Israel was also used to denote AM ISRAEL, from COHANIM (priests), LEVI'IM (Levites), and other ministers. REVELATION 1:5 "...and from YESHUA, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.
To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
3. The Meeting with Esau and Reconciliation (Genesis 33:1-17)
We can learn from Jacob in this chapter an important lesson of strategy and forgiveness. In this chapter, Jacob's encounter with Esau is one of reconciliation, where past enmities are set aside:
Matthew 5:23-24 - "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift." This New Testament teaching underscores the importance of reconciliation, mirroring Jacob's actions.
This meeting reflects the power of forgiveness and the believers’ call to reconcile with each other, as a family in Messiah Yeshua. If Jacob and Esau could do it, so should we try to "live in peace, if possible" as scripture says:
Colossians 3:13 - "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." This mirrors the reconciliation between Jacob and Esau.
Matthew 18:21-22 - Yeshua teaches about forgiveness, reminding us that we should forgive repeatedly, much like Jacob's approach to his brother.
4. The Sin of Shechem (Genesis 34)
The tragic story of Dinah and Shechem reveals the complexities of justice, vengeance, highlighting a Biblical perspective of justice. The actions of Simeon and Levi teach about the dangers of taking justice into one's own hands:
Romans 12:19 - "Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord." This contrasts with (Simeon and Levi), the brothers’ actions, emphasizing God's role in judgment.
5. Death of Rachel, Birth of Benjamin (Genesis 35:16-20)
Rachel's death during childbirth to Benjamin is both a moment of profound grief of loss and new beginnings with a new born baby boy.
Rachel's Name
Rachel means "ewe" (רָחֵל), symbolizing nurturing, care, and sacrifice. In a Hebrew Roots interpretation, Rachel's life and death might be seen as prefiguring the ultimate sacrifice of the Messiah, who, like Rachel, gives life (to Benjamin) at the cost of her own.
The naming of Benjamin: Rachel names her son Ben-Oni, meaning "son of my sorrow," indicative of her pain in childbirth. Jacob, however, renames him Benjamin, meaning "son of the right hand" or "son of the south," which symbolizes strength, honor, and victory. From a Messianic perspective, this can be viewed as a transformation from sorrow to joy, reflecting the transition from the pain of the old covenant to the joy of the new covenant through Yeshua.
Rachel's Tomb: Rachel's burial near Bethlehem is significant. According to Jeremiah 31:15, Rachel weeps for her children in exile, symbolizing her ongoing intercession for Israel. This connects to the Messianic hope where Yeshua is born in Bethlehem, symbolically near Rachel, indicating redemption and the gathering of Israel's scattered children.
Rachel's Death
Her death in childbirth can be seen as a metaphor for the death of the old nature or the old covenant, making way for new life (Benjamin) which represents the new covenant or the new life in Messiah.
Benjamin
He is the only son of Jacob born in the Promised Land, symbolizing the new birth or the spiritual Israel that comes through faith in Yeshua, not merely by physical descent.
Birth and Death
The narrative of life coming from death in Rachel and Benjamin's story prefigures the Messianic understanding of Yeshua's death bringing new life. The pain of childbirth leading to a new life can be seen as an analogy for spiritual rebirth through suffering or trials.
Tribal Inheritance: Benjamin, despite being born into tragedy, becomes a significant tribe, producing leaders like Saul, the first king of Israel, and later, Mordecai and Esther. This can be interpreted as showing how God can bring leadership and salvation from the most unexpected or sorrowful circumstances.
Rachel's Intercession: Her weeping in Jeremiah 31 is often linked to the sorrow of exile and the hope for redemption. In a Messianic context, this resonates with the hope that the Messiah will gather Israel back, much like Yeshua's mission to call back the lost sheep of Israel.
The continuity of the covenantal promises through Rachel's lineage to Benjamin underscores the faithfulness of God to His promises, which are now seen as fulfilled in Yeshua, who is the embodiment of the Torah and the blessings promised to Israel.
In summary, the interpretation of Rachel and Benjamin in Vayishlach would emphasize themes of redemption, the transformation from sorrow to joy, the prophetic nature of Israel's history pointing to Messianic fulfillment, and the spiritual birth into a new covenant relationship with God through faith in Yeshua.
6. The Genealogy of Esau (Genesis 36)
This section provides a historical context, showing how Esau's descendants became the Edomites, often representing opposition to Israel:
Obadiah 1:10-14 - The Haftarah reading for Vayishlach often includes Obadiah, which discusses the doom of Edom for their treatment of Israel, reflecting the ongoing conflict between the descendants of Jacob and Esau. In the Bible, Amalek is a grandson of Esau, Jacob's older brother. Amalekites are descendants of Amalek. Here is some related information about Esau and Amalek from the Bible:
Esau's lineage Esau was the firstborn son of Isaac and Rebecca, and the older twin brother of Jacob. Esau's disdain for his birthright was the beginning of a long line of his descendants' hatred for the covenantal relationship between God and Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Esau's descendants Esau's sons include Eliphaz, Reuel, and Jeush. Eliphaz had a concubine named Timna, who bore Amalek to him.
Amalekites Amalekites are descendants of Amalek, the grandson of Esau. The sons of Eliphaz, including Amalek, were chiefs in the land of Edom. According to the Bible, in Exodus 17:16, "the Lord will have war against Amalek from generation to generation," meaning God declared a perpetual conflict with the Amalekites, signifying his opposition to them across all future generations.
Brit Chadashah Connections:
Yeshua came for the scattered sheep of Israel. Know your identity as part of Israel (HIS KINGDOM, HIS PEOPLE) through Messiah Yeshua today!
Now the following scriptures collectively describe the transformation and renewal that comes through faith in Yeshua Messiah, where one's life is fundamentally changed, leading to a new way of living characterized by faith, love, and obedience to God.
Brit Hadashah/ New Covenant Reading Matthew 26:36 – 46
Hebrews 11:21 - "By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff." This verse highlights Jacob's faith at the end of his life, connecting his legacy to the faith of the patriarchs.
Revelation 7:1-8 - The sealing of the 144,000 from the tribes of Israel includes the tribe of Benjamin, symbolically linking back to Jacob's final blessing and the enduring promise of God to Israel.
"The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak"
John 3:3
Yeshua replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
John 3:5-7
Yeshua answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’”
1 Peter 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Yeshua Messiah! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Yeshua Messiah from the dead.
1 Peter 1:23
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
1 John 3:9
No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.
1 John 5:1
Everyone who believes that Yeshua is the Messiah is born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves his child as well.
1 John 5:4
For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
Titus 3:5 He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 2:4-5
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Yeshua Messiah even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Yeshua Messiah, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
From the First Covenant:
Prophetic and symbolic passages that relate to the idea of spiritual renewal or rebirth:
Ezekiel 36:25-27
I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.
Psalm 51:10
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Conclusion:
Vayishlach teaches us about the power of ELOHIM to transform individuals, and the ongoing journey of faith. Jacob's life exemplifies a walk with God that involves struggle, reconciliation, and divine encounter. For us, these lessons are not just historical but prophetic, pointing towards the Messiah Yeshua who reconciles us to God and each other, if we press on and cling to God we can receive personal transformation through the Holy Spirit, as Jacob's transformation into Israel.
This Torah portion, when seen through the lens of both Haftarah and Brit Chadashah, invites believers to engage in spiritual warfare, seek reconciliation, and embrace the transformative power of God's presence in their lives!
Prayer:
"Lord, help us to wrestle with You, not in opposition but in pursuit of Your will, seeking reconciliation through Messiah Yeshua and Your Word, YOUR RUACH HA'KODESH (HOLY SPIRIT), and embracing the new identity You give us through Messiah Yeshua. Amen!" Reaching the Harvest: A Call for Your Support
While standing with Israel is paramount, we also face an urgent call to reach the lost with the message of Yeshua, the Savior of the world. The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few (Matthew 9:37). We believe that faith-based media—TV programs, music, and digital platforms—are powerful tools for spreading the Gospel and bringing souls into the Kingdom of God.
That’s why we are asking for your support in an important initiative to expand our outreach efforts. We are in the process of launching a new TV program, producing faith-based media, and creating music content that will proclaim the love and truth of Yeshua the Messiah to a world in desperate need of hope. But we cannot do it without you.
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A Final Word: The Urgency of the Hour
The time is now. We are living in the final days, and the harvest of souls is at hand. Just as we must stand with Israel, we must also stand together to spread the Good News of Yeshua the Messiah. This is an urgent matter—souls are at stake, and the need is greater than ever.
We are grateful for your partnership in prayer and financial support. Together, we can make a powerful impact, not just in supporting Israel, but in reaching the lost with the Gospel message of salvation through Yeshua.
Thank you for standing with us. May God bless you richly, and may He continue to bless Israel and the work of His Kingdom.
Shabbat Shalom!
In His Service,
Elihana Elia & Dr. Hadassah Elia and team at RONI International Alliance, Lev
Echad One Heart Messianic Congregation & Restore Israel
Amen! Wow, good teaching .. !! 🙏🏻 🙏🏻 🙏🏻